Automobile directional signal control



June 30, 1953 M, CORPOR-A v 2,644,149

AUTOMOBILE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL CONTROL Filed Nov. 25, 1950 HA mail 7l FIG-5 H\S ATTORNEY Patented June 30, 1953 NITED STATESy OFFICE AUTGMOBILE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL CONTROL Application November 25, 1950, Serial No. 197,540

(Cl. E40- 128) 2 Claims.

motor vehicle and control means for said arm within said cab for manipulation by the person driving the vehicle.

An object of the present invention is to provide a driver controlled signal means for indicating to others the intention of the driver to either slow down his vehicle or to turn it to the left or the right.

Another object is to provide a simple yet effective arrangement of parts for positively actuating the signal arm in accordance with manipulations of a push-button control therefor.

Still another` object is to provide a master solenoid for effecting movement of the signal arm and intermediate solenoid operated means for limiting or altering the normal movement of the signal arm.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following description in connection with the drawing in which:

Fig. l is a front View of my signal device mounted on a vehicle shown in phantom.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the principal parts of my signal device including the wiring diagram therefor. Y

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional detail view of the control portion of my signal device taken substantially along line 3-3 in Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section of Fig. 3 taken along line 4-4 thereof.

Fig. is a view similar to Fig. 4 but with parts thereof in a different position.

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail of the signal arm actuating portion of my signal device, parts thereof being broken away for purposes of illustration.

The signal device I0 comprises a housing or casing II having a flange-like escutcheon plate I2 around it for mounting the casing on the body of a vehicle V as seen in Fig. l. A bracket I3 extends outwardly from the exterior wall I4 of the casing I I and is provided with a fork-like end I5 for receiving a signal arm I6 in the manner shown in Figs. 2 and 6.

Each side of the fork-like end I5 is provided with a boss through which a pin I1 extends. The pin I1 also passes through the arm I6 to support the latter for pivotal movement relative to the bracket i3.

The signal arm I6 comprises an elongated arrow which hangs pendently from the pin I1. The upper end of the arm I3 has an angularly extending portion I8 provided with an opening (not shown) eccentrically disposed relative to the pin I Means for moving the arm I6 comprises a master solenoid 20 coniined Within the housing IIv and including an armature 2 I having its outer end operatively connected by a link 22 to the eccentrically disposed opening in the arm I6.

The solenoid 20 includes a cylindrical coil 23 having a tubular core 24 disposed to guide the armature 2I toward and from the pin I1 upon which the arm I6 is mounted. The back of the solenoid is formed by an iron base 25 for concentrating the eddy currents developed by the coil 23 to the inner region of the tubular core 24.

The armature 2I has a rounded portion 26 disposed for sliding movement within the tubular core 24 and its opposite or extended end 21 flattened to iit between twin links 22. The free end of the at portion 21 of the armature is provided with an elongated slot 28 to receive a pin 29 extending between and joining the twin links 22. The opposite ends of the twin links carry a pin 30 which extends through the aforementioned eccentrically disposed-opening in the arm I6.

The coil 23 of the solenoid 20 is embodied in an electrical circuit 3| shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2. This circuit 3I includes a source Aof electrical energy 32 in the form of a storage battery usually found inautomotive vehicles. One terminal of the coil 23 is connnected by a conductor 33 to the positive side of the battery 32, the opposite negative side of which is connected by a conductor 34 to one pole 35 of a switch 36. The other pole 31 of switch 36 is connected'by a conductor 38 to the other terminal of the coil 23. When the switch 33 is closed current from the battery 32 flows through the coll 23 and the eddy currents set up withinthe tubular core 24 attract the armature 2| drawing it back into the core 24. In this manner the links 22 are pulled back to turn the arm I3 counterclockwise Fig. 2 about the pin I1.

When the switch 36 is opened to break the circuit 3I the arm IB falls into normal or pendent position. The falling arm It causes the twin links 22 to pull the armature 2| outwardly relative to the tubular core 24 of the solenoid 25. However, the arm It in falling into normal position gains momentum and will swing in pendulum fashion beyond vertical. In this manner the pin 2S? within the slot 28 in the armature bears against the outermost cove 39 in the latter. Thus the armature 2| is fully drawn into its outermost or extended position by the arm |55 although the arm I6 iinally hangs vertically from its pivotal mount on the pin In other words, by reason of the pin and slot connection (2B-23) between the armature and the twin links 22 the in 29 is free to move within the slot 23 of the armature 2| without disturbing the disposition of the latter in its fully extended position.

By reason of the foregoing pin and slot connection, the armature 2| is normally free for an initial movement independent of movement of the links 22 and the signal arm l5. Conscquently, when the switch to the circuit 3| is closed to energize the coil 23, the nrst impulses of the eddy currents set up within the core 2li act upon the armature alone without resistance from the links and signal arm. This is important since the pulling strength of the coil 23 upon the armature is weakest at the outset and is enhanced in proportion to the amount of peripheral area of the armature drawn into the core 2li. Moreover, the armature gains momentum as it is drawn into the core so that by the time the cove 39 of the slot 28 engages the pin 29, the resistance offered by the depending signal arm i6 is more easily overcome.

Under ordinary conditions the armature 2|, when fully drawn into the core 24, would pull the signal arm into its uppermost dotted line position in Fig. 2. However, in accordance with the present invention the full stroke of the armature 2| is limited for holding the signal arm i6 in various intermediate positions.

The means for limiting the normal movement of the signal arm, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 6, comprise a pair of intermediate solenoids il and d2 and related mechanisms. Each of the solenoids and A2 includes a coil 43 and an armature 44 disposed so that each of their armatures reciprocate in a path transverse to that of the armature 2| of the master solenoid 2S. The intermediate solenoid 4| is disposed diametrically opposite to the other solenoid 42 so that the armature oi each engages the armature 2| from the opposite side with respect to each other. In this connection, each side of the armature All is provided with a nat surface #l5 and respectively, engageable by the free end ll'l and 48 respectively, of the armature 44 on the corresponding side.

The coil 43 of each intermediate solenoid is similar to, but smaller than the coil of the master solenoid 2E) in that each has a tubular core t9 and an iron base 5G. These intermediate solenoids differ from the master solenoid in that they are each provided with a compression spring 5I disposed within the core 49 behind the armature 44.

In each solenoid 4| and 42 the spring 5| thereof bears against the base 59 and normally urges the respective armature 44 toward the master armature 2|. These compression springs are of slight compression strength so as not to retard normal attraction of the armature is by the eddy currents within the core 49. However, the springs 5| are of sufiicient strength to press and maintain the respective armatures against the master armature 2| when the coils i3 are deenergized. It should be understood further that the action of these springs 5| in pressing their armatures against the sides of the master armature oier a minimum amount of lresistance to the latters movement due to eddy current induced by the coil 23. This resistance can be liept at the very minimum by lubricating the fiat surfaces 45 and i5 against which the free ends il and 43, respectively, of the armatures 44 abut.

Each of the iiat surfaces i5 and it extend to the free end oi the rounded portion 2G of the armature 2| to terminate in a notch 5E and 56, respectively. These notches 55 and t are formed in the flattened end of the master armature at the point of connection with the rounded portion 25 thereof.

The solenoid i2 is disposed substantially midway the distance between the front face 5i oi the master solenoid and the notch 5t in the armature 2| thereof. The solenoid al is disposed substantially midway the distance between the axis of solenoid i2 and the notch 55 in the master armature 2|. From the foregoing it will be apparent that the movement of the master armature will be limited to about one quarter of its full stroke when the end il of the armature of solenoid il engages the notch 55 of the master armature. Should solenoid lll be energized in a manner later to be explained, the end [at of the armature of'solenoid l2 will engage the notch 55 to limit the movement of the master armature to approximately one half of its full stroke. Only when both intermediate solenoids il and t2 are energized will the master armature 2i he free to move the full stroke to raise the signal arm Us' into its uppermost position as hereinbeiore explained.

Referring now to Fig. 2 the uppermost position assumed by the signal arm It is indicated in dotted lines at R. This signals other persons observing the vehicle V that the latter is about to be turned to the Right. When the master armature is limited to one half its fullstroke by the intermediate solenoid 42 the signal arm It will assume the dotted line position L, namely, horizontally of the casing |I. This signals persons observing the vehicle V that it is about to be turned to the Leit. armature 2| to one quarter its full stroke eiects movement of the signal arm l to the dotted line position S in Fig. 2, full lines Fig. l. This indicates to observers that the vehicle V is about to slow down or stop. When the master solenoid 2D is de-energized the signal arm it is free to hang in vertical, Vpendently supported, position. In this latter case the arm I5 is within the lateral limitsl of the body of thevehicle so that it cannot be seen from the rear of lthe vehicle.

The control means 5S of' the present invention is shown in detail, Figs. 3, 4.- and 5 and diagrammatically in Fig. 2. The control means includes a plurality of push buttons 6|, 52 and 63 arranged for reciprocation within passages t4, 65, and 6B, respectively, in the casing or housing In this connection it will be noted that the housing consists of two sections ||A and I|B joined in the usual manner by a screw or bolt (not shown). The section iA of the housing is provided with an internal chamber El communieating with the passages 66, 65 and to so that the inner ends of the push buttons 6|, 52 and 63 are coniined Within the chamber 6l. Also communieating with the chamber 6T are recesses 64', 55

Limitation of the master and 36 formed in the innerv face of section IIB of the housing II in axial alignment with the push'buttons 6I, 62 and 63, respectively. A compression spring 6I', E2 and 63' disposed in the l recesses 34', 65 and 65', respectively, bear against the inner end of the corresponding push button 3i, 62 and 53 to urge the latter into fully extended position relative to the casing I I. Each push button is provided with a stop dog '68 adapted to bear against the inner face '59 of the cham# ber 61 to thereby limit outward movement of the push buttons. v

The stop dog 68 on any one push button is adapted to cammingly engage a stop bar pivotally mounted as at 1I within the chamber 51 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) and spring urged so as to hold the push buttons in fully depressed position against the action of their lcompression springs. The stop bar 1 has a handle 12v which extends through an opening 13v in one side wall of the chamber 61 for manipulation exteriorly thereof. This handle 12 enables the driver to turn the stop bar 10, clockwise Figs. 4 and 5, out of engagement with the stop dog 63 of any push button in depressed position.

Each push button 6I, 62 and 63 in the foregoing arrangement is associated with a switch embodied in the electrical circuit 3l, hereinbefore explained. The switch referred to in each instance includes the switch 35 for controlling the circuit to the coil 23 of the master solenoid 20. For purposes of clarity and distinction the switch 36 which is associated with the push button BI is designated 351; the one associated with push button 62 is marked 362 and the one associated with push button 63 is identified as switch 363.

Each of the poles 35 and 31 of the foregoing switches comprise quadrantal arcuate strips disposed within the enlarged mouth of the respective recesses 64, 35 and 53. The recesses 55 and G6 each include an additional arcuate strip or pole piece 11 and the recess 66 includes still another of such poles 18. These pole pieces 35, 31, 11 and 18 are insulated from each other but are arranged in a circle in each recess to contact a conductor ring 19 carried on the inner end of the respective push button.

The pole piece 11 in each recess G5' and 66 is connected by a conductor wire 83 to one tery minal of the coil 43 of the intermediate solenoid 4l. The pole piece 13 in recess 53 is connected by a wire BI to one terminal of the coil of the other intermediate solenoid 42. The opposite terminal of the coil of each intermediate solel noid 4I and 42 is connected by wire 33 to the conductor 33 which runs to the positive side of the battery 32.

From the foregoing it willV be apparent that each intermediate solenoid 4I and 42 is embodied in the electrical circuit 3l for `control independently of the masterA solenoid but simultaneously therewith by reason of the auxiliary circuits and switches associated with the particular push buttons in the control means. lThe following is summarily descriptive of the operation of the signal device I@ to indicate rst Right hand turn; then Left hand turn; and finally the Slow Down or Stop signal.

Since indication of a Right hand turn by the signal arm I6 requires a full stroke of the master armature 2|, all solenoids 20, 4i and 4?. must be energized. Consequently, push button 53 is depressed into the position illustrated in Fig. 3 to latch the button 63 in a position with its consignal arm control.

ductor ring 19 contacting all'of the pole pieces 35, 31, 11 and I8 in the recess 66. In this manner the coils 43 of both intermediate solenoids 4in-42 are energized to withdraw their armatures 44 against the action of their respective compression springs 5I. Thus the free ends 41 and 48 of both armatures 44 are held-out of engagement with the surfaces 45-46 of the master armature and the latter is free to withdraw fully into the core 24 of the master solenoid. The signal arm IB is thus held in its uppermost position R, Fig. 2 until the handle 12 is depressed to trip or release the stop bar 10 from engagement with the stop dog 68 on the push button 63. Thereupon the spring 63' forces the push button into its normal or extended position to disconnect the several pole pieces in the switch 363.

of the vehicle is to be made the push button 32 is depressed in the manner as hereinbefore explained in connection with the push button 63. Thus the conductor ring 19 on button 62 completes the circuit through the pole pieces 35, 31 and 11 to energize the master coil 23 and the coil 43 of the intermediate solenoid 4I only. In this manner the free end 41 of the armature of solenoid 4I is withdrawn from engagement with the master armature 2I. This frees armature ZI for withdrawal until its movement is limited by engagement of the free end 48 of the armature of solenoid 42 with the notch 56 in the master armature 2|. The armature 2| is thus withdrawn to only about one half its normal full stroke so that the signal arm I5 is raised into position L, Fig. 2, where it is held until the stop arm 1i) is tripped to release the push button 32.

When the vehicle is to Slow Down or Stop push button 6I is depressed. In this case only the pole pieces 35 and 31 engage the conductor ring 19 of the push button 6I. Consequently both intermediate solenoids 4I-42 remain de-energized and movement of the master armature 2| is limited to about one quarter its full stroke. In other words, the free end 41 of the armature in solenoid 4I is urged into the notch 55 of armature 2 I as soon as they register with each other. Thus, the signal arm IS is raised only partially to assume position S where it is held until the stop arm 13 is tripped in the usual manner.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention provides a simple yet positive While the latter has been described in specific detail it will be apparent that it can be modied, altered or varied'without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore desire to avail myself of all modifications, alterations and/or variations as fairly come within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination with a signal arm pivotally mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane, of means for controlling said signal arm lfor movement into various positions laterally of its pivotal mounting, comprising a master solenoid having its armature disposed for reciprocation within said plane, link means pivotally connected to said signal arm eccentrically of its pivotal mounting and having a pin and slot connection with the free end of said master armature whereby the latter is free for initial movement independent of said link means and signal arm, an electrical circuit including a primary switch for energizing said master solenoid for when it is desired to indicate that a Left turn astrales.

7: sir-inging said signal arm. into :EullyA raised post1 tion, a. first and a second intermediate solenoid eaczhk having its armature disposed for reciprooation transverse of the movement of said master armature and urged against the latter, stop means on said master armaturev engagea-ble by the armature of the rst of said intermediate solenoids upon movement of said master armature at least one quarter its full stroke and engageable by the armature ofv the second of said intermediate solenoids upon movement of said master armature at least one half its full stroke, and separate switch means for optionally comu pleting said circuit to either all of said solenoids, the first, intermediate and master solenoids or the master solenoid only for swinging said signal arm into fully, partially or semi-partially raised position.

2. The combination with a signal arm pivotally mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane, of means for controlling said signal arm for movement into various positions laterally of its pivotal mounting, comprising a master solenoid having its armature disposed for reoipro= cation Within said pla-ne, link means pivotally connected to said signal arm eceentrically of its pivotal mounting and having a pin and slot connection with the free end of said master armature whereby the latter is free for initial move ment independent of said link means and signal arm, an electrical circuit including a primary switch iory energizing said master solenoid for swinging said signal arm in to fully raised position, a rsty and a second intermediate solenoid each having its armature disposed for reciproca-4 tion transversely the movement of said master armature and normally urged against the latter on opposite sidesv thereof, stop means on said master armature. engageable by the armature of said first or second intermediate solenoid, said second intermediate solenoid being disposed midway the stroke of said master armature and said first intermediate solenoid being disposed midway the second of said solenoids and the stop means on said master armature, and separate switch means in saidy circuit for optionally energizing either all of said Solenoids, ther first intermediate and master solenoid,y or the master solenoid alone for swinging said signal arm into fully, Partially or semi-partially raised position.

MICHAEL CORPORA,

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,669,597 Bu-rson et al May lll, 1928 1,687,183 Smith et al. Oct. 9, 1928 1,757,674 Lewis et. al. May 6, 1930 2,162,161 Cotant June 13, 1938 2,186,098 Corpora Jan. 9, 1940 

